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Lead Engineer – Core Design and Performance
Job Description
Role Title: Lead Engineer – Core Design & Performance
We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.
Rolls‑Royce SMR is pioneering a new generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy through its Small Modular Reactor technology. As the UK’s preferred SMR vendor, we are driving innovation to support global net‑zero goals, energy security and industrial decarbonisation. Joining us means working at the forefront of advanced engineering, shaping sustainable energy solutions with real‑world impact.
The Core Design department is responsible for ensuring the reactor core meets all relevant design and safety limits, while delivering the performance, capability and economic objectives expected from a world‑class SMR.
About the Role:
As a Lead Engineer – Core Design & Performance, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the technical integrity, safety and performance of the SMR reactor core.
You will lead the development of core modelling and analysis methodologies and provide technical leadership across complex, multidisciplinary core design challenges. This includes reactor physics, thermal hydraulics and fuel performance, ensuring a coherent and integrated approach to core design and analysis.
You will act as a key technical authority within the organisation, articulating the fuel and core safety case position, engaging with regulators and external stakeholders, and shaping the long‑term capability of the Core Design function.
This is a high‑impact role where your work will directly underpin the safety, performance and commercial success of the SMR programme.
We’ll Need You To:
- Lead the development and implementation of core modelling and analysis methodologies
- Provide technical leadership to resolve complex core design challenges across disciplines
- Develop and articulate the fuel and reactor core safety case position
- Act as a primary technical interface with regulators, clients and suppliers
- Shape the strategic development of Core Design capability and long‑term technical direction
- Collaborate with external research organisations to apply industry best practice
- Integrate reactor core design within the wider power station design through cross‑functional working
- Lead complex technical workstreams through to successful delivery
- Support planning, risk management and progress reporting across design activities
- Provide technical oversight, guidance and coaching to engineers and analysts
- Ensure delivery of high‑quality technical outputs aligned to E3S and regulatory expectations
Key Skills Required:
We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you:
- Strong understanding of PWR design, plant behaviour and operational philosophy
- Experience with nuclear safety, E3S regulations and principles such as ALARP and BAT
- Experience with design basis assessment methods and UK safety case practices
- Expertise with physics analysis tools (e.g. CMS, S5) and sub‑channel and/or kinetics tools (e.g. VIPRE, CTF, S5K or similar)
- Strong Python capability for pre‑ and post‑processing, with familiarity in software development and quality assurance processes
- Proven ability to lead complex technical programmes or workstreams
- Strong planning, organisational and risk‑management capability
- Experience influencing regulators, clients and suppliers
- Ability to lead small technical teams and collaborate across multidisciplinary environments
- Strong communication skills and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders
Qualifications:
- Strong academic background with a Master’s in Nuclear Engineering, Physics or a closely related discipline
- Experience in reactor physics and/or thermal‑hydraulics analysis
- Understanding of nuclear fuel performance and core behaviour
Location:
Hybrid working with one of the following as your primary site:
Derby, Manchester or Warrington.
Salary and Package:
The salary band for this role will be between £63,600 – £83,500 dependent on the skills, values and knowledge you bring. There may be flexibility in exceptional cases, reflecting the seniority and technical leadership responsibility of the role.
Benefits include:
- Bonus – Performance‑related target opportunity up to 12.5%
- Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum for a bespoke package
- Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Holidays – 28 days (+ public holidays) with the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
- Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover
- Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
- Home Office Support – £250 one‑off payment for new starters
Selection Process:
The closing date for this role is 7th June 2026. The process will begin with an introductory call with the Talent Acquisition Partner, with interviews being able to take place straight away.
Pay Range:
£60,000.00-
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:
• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.
Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.
Our Application Process
Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:
• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check
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